What is the difference between sunflowers and chrysanthemums? A quick guide to tell them apart

Flowers & Gardening Jan 1, 1970 0 views

Although they are both yellow, their flowers, leaves, and flower centers differ clearly in how easily they can be seen and in their shapes. Chrysanthemum flowers are relatively slender and long, while the former's flowers are relatively thick and very large. The chrysanthemum's flower continuously spreads outward, while the former has petals only at the edge of the flower disk. And the latter's flower center is very hard for us to see, while the former's flower center can not only be clearly seen, but the sunflower seeds on it can also be seen.

I. Sunflower

1. Roots

Its roots can go into very deep soil, as deep as 100-200 cm. Its lateral roots grow horizontally, and it has many fibrous roots, which also bear root hairs. Its root system is relatively well developed and can spread very widely in the soil. Its roots even grow faster than its stem, especially when the flower disk is forming, when they grow fastest. By the time the seeds mature, the roots stop growing and wither.

2. Stem

Its stem is upright, with bristles on the surface, and is relatively rough. In the later stage, the stem becomes woody and the inside becomes hollow. Its seedling stem has different colors, which is a very important way to identify its varieties. The stem height of its different varieties differs considerably; even for the same variety, the height is different due to environmental and other factors.

3. Leaves and flowers

It has two cotyledons, and its true leaves are paired, growing in the region of the 1st to 3rd nodes below the stem. The true leaves can grow relatively large, and the leaves have bristles. The flowers grow at the top of the stem, and their color and size are related to the variety. Their color is very good at attracting insects for pollination. Its fruit is the sunflower seed, which is edible. The seeds are relatively long, usually with black and white stripes, and the seed coat is relatively thick.

II. Chrysanthemum

It likes sunlight and does not like shade. It can tolerate drought and does not like waterlogging. It can endure severe cold; even in winter, its roots can survive the cold underground. It can withstand slight frost, but the seedling growth period needs relatively high temperatures. The best temperature is 20°C, the hottest should not exceed 32°C, and the lowest should not be below 10°C. It likes soil that is relatively thick, rich in humus, and has good drainage. It can grow in soil from slightly acidic to neutral, with the best pH in the range of 6.2-6.7.

III. Differences

Although both are yellow, the differences are still very obvious. Chrysanthemum flowers are relatively slender and long, while the former's flowers are relatively thick and very large. The chrysanthemum's flower continuously spreads outward, while the former has petals only at the edge of the flower disk. And the latter's flower center is very hard for us to see, while the former's flower center can not only be clearly seen, but the sunflower seeds on it can also be seen. The latter's leaves are relatively small and serrated, while the former's leaves are relatively broad and large, with small teeth along the edges as well.